Urban Meyer Steps Down as Florida Gators' Coach

46-year-old coach won national titles in '06 and '08

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 5: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators looks on against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome on December 5, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Urban Meyer

The 46 -year-old coach announced for the second time in less than a year that he is quitting as coach of the University of Florida football team. The last resignation was short-lived, but this time, Meyer swears he means it.

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"I will profoundly miss coming to campus every day to coach this team, but I will always be a Gator at heart, and I am confident that the program will continue to reflect the highest ideals of the University of Florida and collegiate sports,” said Meyer, who coached Florida for six seasons.

Meyer's Gators face Penn State in the Outback Bowl Jan. 1, but to date is 64-15 in Gainesville and 103-23 overall as a head coach. He previously led Utah and Bowling Green. Although the Gators finished a disappointing 7-5 this season, Meyer won a pair of national championships, in 2006 and 2008, at Florida. His success coincided with quarterback Tim Tebow's illustrious tenure at the school. Tebow is now a rookie in the NFL.

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The Toledo, Ohio-born coach said he wants to spend more time with his family, in particular watching his three children compete in sports.

A year ago, Meyer was hospiitalized with chest pains, a scare he revealed three weeks later when he said he was quitting. The next day, he channged his mind and said he was taking an indefinite leave of absence. But by March, he was back at the helm of the Gators.